Things to Know if You’ve Been in a Truck Accident!

Have you been injured in an accident that involved a truck or 18-wheeler? Truck accidents can differ greatly from regular automobile accidents for a few key reasons. In this article, we will explore some of the major differences between truck wrecks and regular car wrecks and what that means for you when considering legal action.

The main reason 18-wheeler wrecks are often more devastating than simple car crashes is that trucks are much larger than regular commuter vehicles. While the average car weighs around 1-2 tons, commercial trucks can legally weigh up to 80 tons! Trucking accidents can be caused by a variety of things. Williams Kherker law firm lists a few including excessive loads, use of wrong equipment or trailers, improper maintenance of vehicles, improperly balanced loads and expecting drivers to exceed legal speed limits or working hours. Since truck drivers are capable of more destruction in the event of an accident, they are required to have special training and licensing and are typically expected to drive more conservatively to prevent accidents. However, when these accidents do occur, it is important to know what your options are following the incident.

Another way in which truck wrecks differ is in the distribution of liability. In a regular commuter vehicle crash, there might only be two drivers and two insurance companies. However, truck drivers aren’t just individuals; following an accident, they are typically represented by their trucking company. So, in an 18-wheeler accident, for example, there might be two drivers, two insurance companies, the company that hired the trucker and other potentially liable parties. If you have been in a wreck with an 18-wheeler and have sustained any physical or financial damages, it is possible that you are eligible for compensation from any of these other potentially responsible parties. To be certain, you should contact a lawyer to determine your legal options.

Immediately following an accident, you should seek medical attention for any injuries that might have occurred, contact relevant police officials and get witnesses. It is important to get as much information as possible since any of it could be used in your case. While there might be an investigation that is usually undertaken by a relevant official present at the scene of the crash, you should nevertheless keep as much information as you can. There are many things to take care of after an automobile accident which are often very stressful and time-consuming. However, if you decide that you would like to pursue legal action, keep in mind that some claims are time-sensitive and you should act quickly to ensure that you don’t lose access to certain legal opportunities.

If you have been involved in an automobile accident with an 18-wheeler, you might be eligible for legal representation and compensation. Before accepting any settlements or offers by the trucking company and/or its insurance company, you should consider contacting a lawyer to determine if you have a case.